Motivation: “One of my bosses was talking about signing up back in January. I was like, ‘Hey, that sounds like a really fun challenge,' something I really didn't think I could do. I've never played sports, never been able to run more than a minute or two at a time. I just wanted to challenge myself.”

Motivation: “I'm running this year for my sister, Jessica, who has breast cancer. She beat it three years ago, but it has returned. Now she's in the hospital battling pneumonia. I asked her if she wanted me to run, and she said, ‘I want you to do it.' So I'm going to try. For her.”

Motivation: “I used to run in high school (Judson) and college (Notre Dame). After that, I completely stopped running. I was working and started a family. Next thing I knew I had put on a ton of weight, about 80 pounds. About three years ago, I decided I needed to get back to it. I have two small boys and wanted to set a good example.”

Motivation: “The main reason I run is to give my head space away from my busy work life. To reflect on things, time I can have to myself, time I can socialize with others. There's something about getting outside and burning off steam through exercise. The sense of achievement you get is pretty amazing. It's definitely a stress-reliever.”

Motivation: “I started running in January as part of a requirement for Squadron Officer School. Some of the people there were training for the marathon. I thought they were crazy at the time, but I started training with them and actually started enjoying running. From there it kind of took off. It's kind of been my newest addiction. It's a positive, energetic, new way of life for me.”